Electric clock.



No. 669,338. Patented Mar..5, I90l.

S. FISCHER.

ELETBIG CLUCK.

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u. 669,333. mmm mns, 19m.

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ELECTRIC CLOCK. appunti and um le, 1000.5

1H: nonms PETER: cu.. mmauwo, wAsHlnmom D. c.

N0. 669,338. Patented Mar. 5, |90I.

S. FISCHER.

lELEI'RIC CLOCK. (Application led June 8, 1900.)

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(lo Iodol.)

W/ TNE SSE S A770 Mfrs Pmnted Mar. 5, |901.

S. FISCHER. ELECTRIC CLCCK. (Appxiqeion mea :una s,- 19400.,

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/N VENTO/ Wl TNE SSE S l,47T frsy No. 669,338. Patented lar. 5, |901.; S. FISCHER.

ELECTRIC CLOCK.

(Application Med June 8, 1900.) (lo lodsl.) 5 Shots-Shut 5.

/N VEN 70H n Arfrs UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SIGISMUND FISCHER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC CLOCK.'

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 669,338, dated March 5, 1901.

' Application filed June 8, 1900.

.To rif/ZZ whom it may concern-f Be it known that I, SIGIsMUND FISCHER, a citizen of the United States, residing in New York, in the borough of Manhattan and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Clocks, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to improvements in electric clocks, and more especially to electric clocks which are to be used as mantelclocks or as marine clocks on board ship and in which the pendulum is dispensed with and an ordinary watch-movement used for transmitting the power from the actuating-electromagnet to the hands, said power being intermittently restored by the winding up of a motor-spring of the movement by the intermittent closing of an electric circuitand the actuation of the armature of an electromagnet in said circuit. The batteries by which the current is supplied are located in the casing of the clock, so that each clock is complete and will continue to run in any position as long as the batteries supply a current of sufficient strength. y

For this purpose the invention consists of an electric clock which comprises a watchmovement, an electromagnet, an oscillating armature actuated thereby, a sleeve mounted looselyon the armature-shaft and carrying the driving-pinion of the movement, a motorspring mounted on said sleeve and connected therewith and with the armature-shaft, and means for intermittently closing the circuit ol the electromagnet. The invention consists, further, in certain details of construction and combinations of parts, which will be fully described, and finally pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings,Figure lis a front elevation of my improved clock, partly in section, through the case. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, the case being also in section. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the clock with the top plate ol' the case removed. Fig. Ll is a side elevation of the clock shown as removed from the case. Fig. 5 is' a vertical transverse section on line 5 5, Fig. et, in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 4L, Fig. 6 is a plan view of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the electric circuit of the clock. Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively a deiail side elevation and a vertical longitudinal section ot' thc circuit-closing de vice. Figs. l0, ll, and l2 are end elevations Serial No. 19,519. (No modelll ofthe circuit,-closingdevice,showingthe parts in ditterent successive positions; and Figs. I3 and 11i show the arrangement of the contactsprings by which the current is transmitted from the rotary parts to the stationary parts of the circuit of the electric clock.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, A represents an ordinary watchmovement from which the motor-spring, its barrel, and the winding devices have been removed. rlhis watch-movement is attached to the front plate of the supporting-frame F of the clock, a dial D of any suitable size heilig attached to the front plate of the clock. The hands are applied to the center arbor of the watch-movement in the usual manner. The su pporting-t'rameF of the clock consists of a front plate F', a rear plate F2, and transverse pillars F3, which connect the front and rear plates, some of the pillars being extended in backward direction and attached to the rear wall O of the case C by means of long hollow postsf, interposed between the rear plate F2 and the rear wall O and screw-nutsf, that are applied to the threaded rear ends of the pillars. Intermediately between the front and rear plates of the supporting-frame F is arranged a bracketplate F4, which is clearly shown in Fig. 5 and which is provided with openings for the passage of the connecting-pillars, and a central opening for the passage ot' a shaft S, that eX- tends parallel with the pillars from the front to the rear plate and that is supported by its reduced ends in holes of the front and rear plates, While an upwardly-extending arm of the intermediate bracket F4 serves as a support for the rod by which the balance-spring of the watch-movement is regulated. The bracketplate F4 is rigidly retained in position by means of sleeves that are applied to the pillars and interposed between it and the front and rearplates of the supporting-frame. The bracket-plate F'l also serves as a support for the armature-shaft S in addition to the bearings supporting said shaft at4 its ends. The actuatiiig-electromagnet E is located below the shaft and supported at its base by the lowermost pillar of the supportingnt'rame F. The cores of the electromagnet E are provided with arc-shaped pole-shoes E,which correspond in length with the armature E2, that swings over the same, the Shanks E3 of IOO the armature .being provided with a center sleeve or hub e3, that turns looselyon the armature-shaft S. The shank E3 is extended diametrically beyond the shaft and provided at its opposite end with a counterbalancingweight E4. A helical spring e connects the extension of the armature-shank E3 with a transverse pin e' at the lower part of the supporting-frame, said pin serving also for the support of a spark-preventing coil R of the ordinary construction. To the bracket-plate F4 is attached, above the end of the armature, an elastic stop e4, that serves for arresting the upward motion of the armature under the influence of its spring and for retaining it in a normal fixed position of rest in proximity to the ends of the pole-shoes, as shown in Fig. 5. The shank of the armature E2 is located in the space between the bracket-plate F4 and the rear plate F2, while the armature itself is extended in forward direction to a sufficient length so as to be attracted by both pole-shoes of the electromagnet, as shown in Eig. 4. The coils of the electromagnet E are connected by suitable conducting-wires with two batteries B B, of any approved construction, which are located one at each side of the electromagnet in the ease of the clock, as shown in Fig. 1. The clock-case O is made of any suitable material, size, and shape, plain or ornamental, as desired. The rear wall C is fitted against lugs C3 on the recessed rear portion of the case C, said lugs being made of angular shape, so as to project inwardly sufficiently for retaining the batteries in position and preventtheirshifting and pressing against the mechanism of the clock after they are placed in position. The top plate C2 is provided with downwardly-prejecting perforated lugs C4, through which a locking-bolt C5 is passed, the threaded front end of which is secured in a socket C6 of the front wall of the case. The shank of the locking-bolt C5 passes through an opening in the rear plate C' and is provided with a milled head or button at its outer end for taking hold of the bolt and establishing` its connection with the front wall of the casing or unscrewing it when the top plate is to be detached for removing the batteries and clock-1n overnent for renewal or repairs. After the clock is placed in position in the case and the top plate locked in position thereon the rear wall of the case is secured in position by means of suitable fastelling-screws.

To the front end of the armature-shaft S is loosely applied a sleeve t, which carries a driving-pinion g' at its front end and a segment g2 at its rear end, said segment being' provided with a headed screw-pin g3, that projects beyond the segment. Adjacent to the segment g2 is keyed to the shaft S a disk g4, which carries a post g5, said post extending in forward direction and being located within the circum ference of the segment g2. A helical spring Q6 is placed on the sleeve g ofthe driving-pinion g', one end of the spring ceases being attached to the segment g2, while its opposite end is attached to the grooved end of the post g5, as shown clearly in Fig. S. The spring g( is an ordinary coiled steel spring and serves as the motor-spring of the watchmovexnent, it transmitting its power to the driving-pinion g and from the same to the watch-movement A, so as to keep the same going when wound up from six to eight ininutes. The disk g'l is surrounded by au insulated ring Q7, which forms, together with the disk, the support for the circuit-closing device H, by which the circuit of the electromagnet is intermittently closed, so as to energize its cores, attract the armature E', and impart an oscillating motion thereto. The disk gJl is provided with a shouldered rear portion g8, of smaller diameter than the disk g4, to which is attached a ratchet-wheel y. rPhis ratchet-wheel g9 is located adjacent to the bracket-plate li"l and engaged by a springpawl gw, that is attached to a laterally-extending stud gm on the armature-shank E3, said pawlg10 engaging the teeth of the ratchetwheel and imparting rotary motion to the shaft and the disk g4 gs at each oscillation of the armature. A check-pawl Q12 is attached to the lowermost end of the bracket-plate F, so as to prevent the turning ot' the ratchetwheel gf in a direction opposite to that imparted 'to it by the spring-pawl gw.

The circuit-closing device H consists of two partsa centrally-fulcrumed cam 7L and a tongue h. The cam 7L is carried by the disk g4 and the tongue 7L by the insulated ring gl. The cam h is fiat at one edge and provided with a recess in its circumference, it being acted upon by a flat spring h2, which serves to quickly turn the cam when the spring h2 is placed in contact with the flat edge of the cam. The pin g3 on the segment g2 extends into the recessed portion of the cam 7L, so as to actuate the same during the rotary motion that is imparted to the segment by the unwinding or winding up of the motor-spring gl". The cani 7L carries near its recess two closelyarranged platinum pins h3, which are gradually moved by the rotation of the segment g2, under the influence of the spring gb', into close proximity with the platinum-pointed end of the circuit-closing tongue 7U. The tongue h is pivoted to the insulated ring gl, it being provided near the pivot with a [iat face, forming two heels 7L, that are acted upon by the free end of a flatspring h5, which is attached at its opposite end to the insulated ring Q7, as shown in Figs. l0, ll, and l2. By the turning of the cam 7L on its fulcrum under the influence of the pin g3 ou thc segment g2 the platinum pins on the cam 7L arc gradually brought closer to the end of the tongue, and at the same time the heel of the cam 7L passes over the cam-spring h2 until the latter turns the cam quickly on its fulcrum and forms contact with the fiat side of the cam, as shown in Fig, ll. The platinum pins are thereby quickly placed in successive IOO contact with the end of the tongue, so as to close the circuit, excite the electromagnet, and attract the armature, imparting an oscillating motion to the same. The tongue 7'/ slides from the first pin h3 quickly onto the second pin h3 and has a brief dwell on the latter, so as to close the circuit and start the armature in its motion over the pole-shoes. The oscillation of the armature E2 imparts, by the spring-pawlg10,a quick rotary motion to the ratchet-wheel g, and thereby to the shaft S and the disk g4 g8. rPhe disk g4 g8 carries the recessed cam t along, so that the pin g3 rengages the recessed portion of the cam and produces the quick turning of the saine in a direction opposite to its former motion against the tension ofthe cam-spring, as shown in Fig. l2, and the quick sliding of the tongue h from the second platinum pin h3 over the first platinum pin h3 until the tongueis released and the cam and tongue are returned into the starting positions. (Shown in Fig. l0.) By the contact of the'platinum point of the tongue h during the return motion of the cam h the circuit is retained in closed condition, so that the armature is pulled completely over the pole-shoes of the electromagnet, so as to make an oscillation of the full length necessary for the proper and uniform winding up of the motor-spring. As soon as the first platinum pin passes beyond the point of the tongue the circuit is interrupted and the armature returned to its normal position, as shown in Fig. 5. The recess in the cam lt is of such a size that the sudden turning of the cam lirst by its spring and then by the turning of the disk g4 is not checked, but first one edge of the recess and then the other edge brought close to the actuating-piu g3 of the cam h. The tongue h is during the motion of the cam h returned by its spring into its normal position shown in Fig. l0, said spring having exerted its tension during` the quick motion of the cam h in one direction on one heel and during its slow .return motion on the opposite heel of the tongue, as shown, respectively, in Figs. 1i and l2. When the parts are thereby returned into the position shown in Fig. l0, they are ready to be moved gradually again under the influence of the motor-spring until the next closing of the circuit and rewinding of the motor-springis produced. The rewinding ot' the motor-spring is repeated at intervals of from six to eight minutes, and thereby the watch-movement subjected to a uniform degree of spring-power and kept in continuous motion by the successive winding up of the motor-spring.

The circuit of the electric batteries is established by means of contact-springs t' t", two groups of which are arranged, the free ends of the con tact-springs t being placed in contact with the circumference of the insulated ring g'f, while the tree ends of the contact-springs '1l are placed in contact with vthe shouldered disk portieri g3. The opposite ends of the contact-springs t" are supported in a clampingsleeve t2, that is attached to one of the pillars F3 of the clock-frame and ins'ulated therefrom, as shown in Fig. it. The clampingsleeve t2 is connected by a binding-post 3 and conducting-wire with one pole of the battery, the spark-preventing coil R being located in a shunt-circuit, as shown in Fig. 7, said coil serving to prevent sparking at the platinumr contact-points of the circuit-closing device. The contact-springs t' are likewise supported by a clam ping-sleeve t4 on the same pillar adjacent to the clamping-sleeve t2, said clamping-sleeve t4 being not insulated, but electrically connected with the supportilig-frame of the clock and the opposite pole of the batteries.

The battery-circuit is clearly shown in Fig. 7. Whenever the circuit is closed by the contact of the platinum pin on the cam h with the platinum pointed end of the circuit-closing tongue t, the current passes from the positive pole of the battery to the bottom pillar, through the supporting-frame to the uninsulated contact-springs t', over the shouldered disk and cam-spring to the cam on the same, over the platinum pins on the cam to the tongue, over tongue-spring to the insulated ring, and from the same over the contactsprings t" and insulated clamping-sleeve to the coils of the electromagnet and through the same to the negative pole of the battery.

A plurality of contact-springs is preferably used between the disk gl g8 and the insulated ring 97, so as to insure the reliable contact of the parts and keep the circumference of the disk and ring clear of any deposits produced by corrosion.

The regulation of the watch-movement A is accomplished by the regulating-lever of the balance-spring by means of a forked end of a crank-arm K, which is applied to the end of a rod K, that is supported in the upper arm IOS IIO

of the bracket Fiand passed through the rear plate of the clock-frame and the rear wall C of the clock-case to the outside of the lat-ter, said rod being provided at its outer end with a milled button K2, as shown in Fig. 4. The fork K of the crank-arm K engages the regulating-lever of the balance-wheel, as shown in Figs. 5 and t5, and moves the saine in either direction overthe scale on the lmlauce-bridge. The crank K is connect-ed with the regulating-rod 'Kl by a sleeve K3, which is secured thereto by means of a clamping-screw K5, as shown in Fig. 4. To the rear end of the crankrod K is attached a pointer K, which moves over a graduated segment K7 on the rear wall of the clock-case, so as to permit the convenient adjustment of the regulating mechanism of the balance-spring by turning the'pointer in one orthe opposite direction overthe graduated segment until the proper adjustment of the regulating device for the accurate running of the clock is produced.

My improved electric clock is operated as follows: After the proper connection of the battery is made with the operative parts of the clock the hands are first set to proper time on the dial. The motor-spring is then set to tension by means of one oscillation of the armature, so as to impart motion to the watch-movement. The motion of the driving-pinion under the influence of the motorspring also imparts rotary motion to the segment by which the circuit-closing device is intermittently actuated-2 e., before the power of the motor-spring is exhausted. By the special construction of the circuit-closing device the circuit is keptclosed forasucient length of time to produce a full oscillation of the armature over the pole-shoes of the electromagnet and the full rewinding of the motor-spring, so that the movement can be kept going for about six to eight minutes until the batterycircuit is closed again and another oscillation of the armature and another winding of the springl is produced, and so on. As the oscillation motion of the armature is kept up intermittently, and thus the motor-spring wound up at certain fixed intervals of time, the clock continues to move until the power of the batteries is exhausted. The regulation of the clock is accomplished by the regulating device ofthe balance-spring in the manner described, so that a reliable and correct electric timekeeper is obtained. lVhenever for any reason the circuit is interrupted, the motor-spring spends its power and moves one end of the segment g`r2 against the post g5 until it is retained in position by the same. As soon as the circuit is restored and the clock is to be started aga-in all the parts are therefore in proper position, so that by the manual actuation of the armature the movement is again set in motion. During the running of the clock the post g5 on the disk gAl never abuts against the ends of the segment, for the reason that the rewinding of the spring is produced always before its full power is exhausted. When the clock is to be stopped, the motor-spring unwinds until one end of the segment abuts against the post, so as to retain the segment and the parts actuated thereby in position for restarting the clock when the repairs are made or new batteries supplied. The operating devices of my improved electric clock can be used also in electric pendulumclocks, as they are not coniined to clocks with a balance-spring regulator. The circuit-closing device can also be used for various other purposes, as I do not desire to confine it to electric clocks merely.

The advantages of my improved electric clock are, first, that it can be kept running without requiring hand-winding and keeps accurate time until the batteries are entirely exhausted; secondly, that by the employment of a comparatively small and inexpensive motor-spring the clock is wound up at detinite and comparatively longl intervals oi' time, so that the power of the batteries is distributed over a considerable length of time before they are used up; thirdly, that thc ceases closing of the circuit and winding up of the motor-spring is accomplished in a very quick and elective manner, so as to consume but little power of the batteries; vfourthly, that the clock will continue its` movement whatever be the position in which it be placed, whether in vertical, horizontal, or other position, so that it is adapted for marine purposes as well as for use on mantles or other supports; iifthly, that by the use of a short spring and frequent rewinding of the same almost uniform power is imparted to the watchmovement, and thereby accurate time obtained; sixthly, that as the watch-movement can be of avery cheap kind and as the clock mechanism is of comparatively simple construction the electric clock can be made at so low a price as to be within the reach of any who desire a reliable electric clock; seventhly, that by the arrangement of two platinum pins and a platinum -pointed springtongue in the circuit-closing device the contact-points are made to slide over each other in such a manner as to be self-cleaning, which is of importance for the proper running ofthe clock for long periods of time, and, lastly, that the batteries can be easily removed and the operative parts repaired or examined by first removing the top plate and the clock mechanism, with the rear wall, from the case.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In an electric clock, the combination, with a watch-movement, of a motor-spring for driving the same, an electromagnet, means for intermittently closing the circuit of said electromagnet, an oscillating armature actuated by said electromagnet, and mounted loosely on its shaft, a ratchet-wheel fixed on the armature-shaft, a pawl on the armature engaging said ratchet-wheel, disks fixed upon the armature-shaft, a pin on one of said disks connected with one end of the motor-spring, and means actuated by the armature for breaking the circuit of the electromagnet when the motor-springis wound up, substantially set forth.

2. In an electric clock, the combination of a watch-movement,an electromagnet, an armature-shaft, an oscillating balanced armature actuated by said electromagnet and mounted rotatably on said shaft, a sleeve mounted loosely on said shaft and carrying the driving-pinion of the movement, a segment on said sleeve, a pin on said segment, disks ou the armature-shaft, one of said disks carrying a cam engaged by the segmentpin, a motor-spring mounted ou said sleeve and connected therewith and with the armature-shaft, and a pawl-and-ratchet mechanism between said armature and disks, substantially as set forth.

3. In an electric clock, the combination of a watch-movement, an electromagnet, an armature-shaft, an oscillating balanced armature actuated by said electromagnet and IOO IIO

mounted rotatably on said shaft, a sleeve mounted loosely on said shaftand carrying the' driving-pinion of the movement, a segment on said sleeve, a pin on said segment, disks on the armature-shaft,1 one of said disks carrying a cam engaged by the segment-pin, a niotor-spri ng mounted on said sleeve and connected therewith and with the armature-shaft, a paWl-and-ratchet mechanism between said armature and disks, and means on one of said disks for making electrical connection with said cam, substantially as set forth.

1l. In an electric clock, the combination, with a Watch-movement, of a motor-spring for driving` the same` an electromagnet, a balanced oscillating armature, means Winding up the motor-spring actuated by said armature, and mechanism for intermittently closing the circuit of the electromagnet, said mechanism consisting of a driving-pinion, a segment on the sleeve of said driving-pinion, a carrier-disk, a spring-actuated cam provided with platinum contact-points fulcrumed to said disk, an insulated ring, and a spring-actuated tongue havinga platinum-pointed end pivoted to said insulated ring, substantially as set forth.

5. In an electric clock, the combination of a watch-movement, a motor-spring for driving said movement, said motor-spring being located on a hub-sleeve of the driving-pinion, a segment on said sleeve connected to one end of the motor-spring, a post connected to the opposite end of said spring, an electromagnet oscillatin g and counterbalanced armature actuated by the electromagnet, a carrier-disk on the arbor of the armature, an insulated ring on said disk, a circuit-closing device actuated by the segment under the influence of the motor-spring, and contact-springs between tlie carrier-disk and insulated ring, substantially as set forth.

6. In an electric clock, the combination of a Watch-movement, a motor-spring for the same, an electromagnet, an electric circuit for the electromagnet,an oscillating and counter-balanced armature, means between said armature and the motor-spring for intermittently winding up the same by the actuation of the armature, a circuit-closing device actuated by the unvvinding of the motor-spring, said circuit closing device consisting of a spring-actuated cam provided with platinum contact-pins, a spring-actuated tongue having a platinum contact-point, a carrier-disk for said cam, an insulatedl ring on said disk carrying the tongue, and contact-springs for .the disk and ring for producing the reliable closing of the circuit, substantially as set forth.

7. In an electric clock, the combination, with a Watch-movement, a motor-spring for the same, an electromagnet, and an armature connected with said motor-sprin g, of a circuitclosing device operated by the motor-spring of the movement and consisting of a segment connected with one end of the motor-spring,

a pin on said segment, a carrier-disk, arecessed and spring-actuated cam fulcru med to said disk, platinum pins on said cam, a post on said disk connected to the opposite end of the motor-spring, an insulated ring on said disk, and a spring-actuated circuit-closing tongue pivoted to said ring and provided With a platinum point adapted to be engaged by the platinum pins of the cam, substantially as set forth.

S. In an electric clock, the combination, with a Watch-movement, a motor-spring for the same, an electromagnet, and an armature connected With said motor-spring, of a circuitclosing device, consisting of a carrier-disk, a recessed cam fulcrumed to said disk and provided With a fiat side, a flat spring acting on said cam, platinum pins on said cam, an insulated ring on said disk, and a spring-actuated circuit-c-losing tongue pivoted to said ring and provided with heels near its pivot and with a platinum point at its end adapted to be engaged by the platinum pins of the cam, substantially as set forth.

9. In an electric clock, the combination, with a Watch-movement, a motor-spring for the same, an electromagnet, and an armature connected With said motor-spring, of a circuitclosing device, consisting of a carrier-disk, a recessed cam fulcrumed to said disk and provided With a flat side, a flat spring actuating on said cam, platinum pins on said cam, an insulated ring on said disk, a spring-actuated circuit-closin g tongue pivoted to said ring and provided with a platinum point, and means for moving the cam in the opposite direction to that imparted by its spring, so that a protracted contact of the platinum points of the cam with the platinum point of the tongue is produced, substantially as set forth.

l0. In an electric clock, the combination, with a segment located on the sleeve of the motion-transmitting pinion, a carrier-disk, a post on said carrier-disk, a motor-spring located on the sleeve of the segment and attached at its ends respectively to the segment and the post, said segment abutting against the post When the motor-spring has spent its force so as to be in position for rewinding, substantially as set forth.

1l. In an electric clock, the combination, with a clock-case, provided with a recessed rear Wall having angular inwardly-proj ectin g lugs, of an electric clock located in the center of the case, a rear plate connected With the frame of said clock and closing the rear Wall of the case, and batteries located at each side of said clock, and retained in position by said angular lugs, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

SIGISMUN D FISCHER.

Witnesses:

PAUL GoErEL, M. H. WURTZEL.

IOO

IIO 

